Mississippi State cornerback Darius Slay gets draft invitation

Mississippi State cornerback Darius Slay will attend the 2013 NFL Draft in New York at the league’s invitation, NFL.com’s Gil Brandt said Friday.

Slay (6-0, 192) was timed at 4.36 seconds in the 40-yard dash at the Combine, best among defensive backs. He intercepted five passes in his senior season with the Bulldogs in 2012.

Washington cornerback Desmond Trufant, who was slated to attend the draft, will not be present at the league’s draft festivities at Radio City Music Hall in New York because of his grandfather’s illness, Brandt indicated. Slay will take Trufant’s place as one of the invitees, Brandt said.

Alabama’s Dee Milliner and Florida State’s Xavier Rhodes are the other cornerbacks attending the draft, which begins Thursday, April 25.

Slay got overshadowed by Jonathan Banks in college but he’s still a good cornerback in his own right. I wouldn’t be surprised if Banks slips into the second due to speed and knee injuries with Slay going about 10 picks after him.